Cuomo Steps Into Transit Fray With Ideas for After ‘Summer of Hell’

[GojiMet86]

Lol, a $1 million prize competition to see who can buy new cars quickly.

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/23/nyregion/cuomo-takes-responsibility-for-fixing-new-yorks-transit-problems.html

 

 

Cuomo Steps Into Transit Fray With Ideas for After ‘Summer of Hell’

 

Facing a torrent of criticism for failing to address New York City’s deteriorating transit system, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Tuesday acknowledged that the region’s mounting infrastructure problems had reached a crisis level and said he would shoulder the responsibility for addressing them.

But Mr. Cuomo’s proposals, outlined at a speech in Manhattan, showed how much he is still grappling with the scope of the problem. He offered a $1 million prize for new ideas to improve the subways; he ruminated on different ownership of Pennsylvania Station in Manhattan, from a private operator to New York State; and he warned that in the next few weeks the transportation situation was going to get much worse.

Mr. Cuomo said the looming track repairs at Penn Station, a consequence of age and neglect, would create a “summer of hell” for commuters that required a level of regional coordination on par with the response to Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

“We have six weeks to prepare for a potential crisis,” Mr. Cuomo said, referring to the Penn Station repairs set to begin in July and continue into August. “Our obligation as elected officials is to provide the leadership.”

A short time later in New Jersey, Gov. Chris Christie revealed that the repairs meant that New Jersey Transit’s second-busiest line could not use Penn Station, the nation’s busiest railroad terminal, which Amtrak owns and shares with New Jersey Transit and the Long Island Rail Road.

Mr. Christie, at a news conference in Trenton, raised alarms about how his state would cope with the disruption, and he mounted a blistering attack on Amtrak, calling the organization dishonest and incompetent.

“We know we can’t trust Amtrak,” Mr. Christie said, several hours after Amtrak had closed an additional track at Penn Station with no warning, causing delays of up to two hours.

In Manhattan, Mr. Cuomo outlined plans to address ballooning subway delays, an issue that he has largely been able to skirt, in part because many frustrated riders do not know that the governor controls the agency that runs New York City’s subway system.

Both Penn Station and the subways have reached such a breaking point, and the anger among riders has risen to such a level, that Mr. Cuomo finally felt compelled to weigh in. His wide-ranging speech was a recognition that neither problem was going away, that neither would be easily fixed and that failing to take them head-on could damage his political fortunes.

Mr. Cuomo, a Democrat and a source of speculation about a possible run for president in 2020, had received criticism for remaining mostly silent over the city’s subway meltdowns. He controls the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the agency that runs the subways and the Long Island Rail Road, which will also suffer delays at Penn Station this summer.

Mr. Cuomo proposed a series of ambitious ideas: New York State should consider taking over Penn Station, or the station should be run by a private operator, or by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. As it happens, the Port Authority runs the one transit hub, the main bus terminal in Manhattan, that many travelers find at least as unappealing as Penn Station.

Mr. Cuomo also announced an international competition to solicit ideas about how the subway could run more trains and buy new cars more quickly. Winning proposals would earn a $1 million prize. And Mr. Cuomo said that if the authority needed more money for its five-year capital plan to address subway delays, he would help fight for it at the state and local levels, even though as governor he already has a lot of power over the state’s finances.

An array of elected officials joined Mr. Cuomo onstage and praised his plans, including John J. Flanagan, the Republican State Senate leader, and Melissa Mark-Viverito, the Democratic leader of the New York City Council. Noticeably missing was Mayor Bill de Blasio, a frequent nemesis of the governor, although the city’s transportation commissioner, Polly Trottenberg, did attend.

Some transit advocates have called on Mr. Cuomo and Mr. de Blasio to work together to fix the subway. But Mr. de Blasio, a Democrat, slammed Mr. Cuomo last week, saying that Mr. Cuomo ran the subways and should “just own up to it.”

After Tuesday’s speech, Ms. Trottenberg, who also serves on the authority’s board, struck a softer tone. “The city is obviously interested in being part of the discussions and being helpful,” she said. “This is all our constituents. We want to make sure they can all have a great transportation system.”

John Raskin, the executive director of the Riders Alliance, an advocacy group that has criticized Mr. Cuomo’s leadership of the authority, welcomed the governor’s attention to the problems.

“Governor Cuomo is taking a vital step, which is to declare that it’s squarely his responsibility to fix the subway,” Mr. Raskin said. “The next question is: What is the actual plan, and where will the governor find the money to pay for it?”

As for Penn Station, Amtrak has proposed its own plan for a private operator to oversee the station’s concourse, but it wants to continue to oversee the tracks. On Tuesday, Amtrak announced that it would use HNTB Corporation to assist with the track work at Penn Station this summer.

“Amtrak is taking every step to ensure that we accomplish this work on schedule over the summer,” Charles W. Moorman, Amtrak’s chief executive, said, adding that Amtrak was not the only one to blame and that all three railroads had underinvested in Penn Station.

Amtrak, the Long Island Rail Road and New Jersey Transit are drawing up schedules that will reduce service during rush hours by as much as 20 percent; New Jersey Transit issued a summary of its plans for modified service on Tuesday night.

On Tuesday, Mr. Christie said that all of the trains on the Morris & Essex line that usually run directly to Penn Station would be diverted to Hoboken Terminal. All of those passengers would then have to board PATH trains or ferries to cross the Hudson River into Manhattan.

About 23,000 passengers ride the trains that will be diverted to Hoboken Terminal, said Nancy Snyder, a spokeswoman for New Jersey Transit. Mr. Christie said discounts of up to 63 percent would be offered to rerouted passengers.

On Twitter, Kim Mullaney, a New Jersey Transit commuter, wrote: “At least it’s a discounted fare. I guess I better stock up on sunscreen — I’m gonna need it for that ferry.”

Mr. Cuomo sent a letter to President Trump on Sunday asking him to recognize the situation as an emergency and provide funding for construction and transportation alternatives for commuters. On Monday, Mr. Christie said he had not decided whether he would join Mr. Cuomo’s appeal to Trump.

For Long Island commuters, Mr. Cuomo said he was considering several alternate travel options, including park-and-ride facilities along the Long Island Expressway and high-speed ferries. He said he was creating a task force to examine both short and long-term solutions for Penn Station.

With the coming disruptions at Penn Station, Mr. Cuomo said he was concerned about the impact on the city’s already overburdened transit system.

“The truth is that the subway system is already at its breaking point,” Mr. Cuomo said, “and now trying to compensate for the dysfunction of Penn is just too much.”

 

 

 

[Via Garibaldi 8]

He spoke on Fox 5 this morning.  He's absolutely right.  That idiot de Blasio is trying to put all of the blame on the governor.  He said that everyone has to throw in their fair share of money and that currently isn't happening.

[GojiMet86]

He spoke on Fox 5 this morning.  He's absolutely right.  That idiot de Blasio is trying to put all of the blame on the governor.  He said that everyone has to throw in their fair share of money and that currently isn't happening.

 

 

You're absolutely wrong. DiBlasio can be an idiot, but he is not when he's pointing out Cuomo controls the TA.

 

Everyone knows (or should) that is stands today, the State of New York is ultimately responsible for the MTA. Obviously, you have an axe to grind with DiBlasio, but in this case he is absolutely correct.

 

 

 

 

Fair share of money or not, it is Cuomo who is responsible the MTA. The City has already committed to contributing the most money it has ever given to the MTA. Cuomo hasn't even come out with how he plans on funding future commitments. And he already has had the power to control the State's finances.

 

He's happy to line up for photo-ops and take credit for the City's Second Avenue subway and the new Wi-Fi buses, but when push comes to shove, he will do anything to avoid actually fixing the MTA.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

You're absolutely wrong. DiBlasio can be an idiot, but he is not when he's pointing out Cuomo controls the TA.

 

Everyone knows (or should) that is stands today, the State of New York is ultimately responsible for the MTA. Obviously, you have an axe to grind with DiBlasio, but in this case he is absolutely correct.

 

 

 

 

Fair share of money or not, it is Cuomo who is responsible the MTA. The City has already committed to contributing the most money it has ever given to the MTA. Cuomo hasn't even come out with how he plans on funding future commitments. And he already has had the power to control the State's finances.

 

He's happy to line up for photo-ops and take credit for the City's Second Avenue subway and the new Wi-Fi buses, but when push comes to shove, he will do anything to avoid actually fixing the MTA.

Cuomo made it very clear this morning when he says that funding MUST be put up by ALL parties involved.  Taking responsibility is one thing and Cuomo admitted that he takes full responsibility.  Funding is another topic completely, so no I'm not wrong, you are.  If all necessary parties, which includes the city isn't providing what they should be then there's a problem. The city is not completely free of culpability from a funding standpoint, and I don't know what makes you think that. 

 

I assume you think that Cuomo is suddenly supposed to start throwing money at the subways after years of neglect just because.  He has a responsibility to the State as a whole, not just NYC. Some people seem to forget that.   If Amtrak hasn't been receiving enough funding for 50 years now, how is Cuomo supposed to magically have funds to cover it? That's absurd. It's called a budget, and there aren't endless funds to go around.  Maybe in your world there is, but not in the real world.

 

The other thing about the that everyone loves talking about is how much money they should get, but we don't talk enough about how many of their projects are over budget and how costly they are.  I'm still of the belief that they don't manage well enough with what they do have, and we the taxpayers don't have an open wallet to keep funding this black hole. As a taxpayer, I say enough is enough with the taxation.  New York is one of the highest taxed states in the country and yet it's never enough. 

[GojiMet86]

Cuomo made it very clear this morning when he says that funding MUST be put up by ALL parties involved.  Taking responsibility is one thing and Cuomo admitted that he takes full responsibility.  Funding is another topic completely, so no I'm not wrong, you are.  If all necessary parties, which includes the city isn't providing what they should be then there's a problem. The city is not completely free of culpability from a funding standpoint, and I don't know what makes you think that. 

 

I assume you think that Cuomo is suddenly supposed to start throwing money at the subways after years of neglect just because.  He has a responsibility to the State as a whole, not just NYC. Some people seem to forget that. 

 

 

The City DRIVES the States financially. The City is what keeps the rest of the State alive.

 

 

Cuomo didn't do shit for years for the MTA. Now that he is taking full credit for all these new shiny projects, he should bear the responsibility for fixing the nasty, decrepit state the MTA is in. If he wants the City to pay a fair share (which it already is doing, so don't deny it), then he should give the City more control.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

The City DRIVES the States financially. The City is what keeps the rest of the State alive.

 

 

Cuomo didn't do shit for years for the MTA. Now that he is taking full credit for all these new shiny projects, he should bear the responsibility for fixing the nasty, decrepit state the MTA is in. If he wants the City to pay a fair share (which it already is doing, so don't deny it), then he should give the City more control.

And guess what?  People are LEAVING the State in droves because of over taxation.  De Blasio can run his big mouth because the city is swimming in revenue generated from things like tourism.  The State overall isn't in the same financial shape.  Upstate is suffering (fewer people means less taxes and less revenue to spend for things that are needed, and whether you like it or not, those people up there DO pay taxes too and should get some share of monies for their areas.  My issue with de Blasio is him trying to say that NYC has NOTHING to do with funding the and that's just completely false.  Cuomo runs the ship overall, but the city hasn't been helpful historically in giving what they should to help from a funding standpoint.  Then there's the with their bloated budgets. If we didn't spend $1 billion dollars on projects (partially federally funded or not, $1 billion on one station is ridiculous) maybe we could get somewhere.

 

So let's stop with the it's all Cuomo's fault.  The City has some part in the issue as well.  

[bobtehpanda]

He spoke on Fox 5 this morning.  He's absolutely right.  That idiot de Blasio is trying to put all of the blame on the governor.  He said that everyone has to throw in their fair share of money and that currently isn't happening.

 

Has it occurred to you that our Governor, can... lie? The City is actually putting up more money than it ever has, as a percentage of the Capital Budget and accounting for inflation.

 

Meanwhile, the State's portion of the Capital Budget exists as an expansion of MTA bonding authority, with the State budget specifically including language saying that no dollars will be allocated until the MTA exhausts all possible bonding revenue.

 

If Cuomo doesn't want it to be a State problem, then he can hand over the MTA tomorrow and keep state ownership of the commuter rails.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

Has it occurred to you that our Governor, can... lie? The City is actually putting up more money than it ever has, as a percentage of the Capital Budget and accounting for inflation.

 

Meanwhile, the State's portion of the Capital Budget exists as an expansion of MTA bonding authority, with the State budget specifically including language saying that no dollars will be allocated until the MTA exhausts all possible bonding revenue.

 

If Cuomo doesn't want it to be a State problem, then he can hand over the MTA tomorrow and keep state ownership of the commuter rails.

I knew you would say that... That's precisely my point. There's no one person to point blame at.  The City isn't an angel in this game of cat and mouse either, so please spare me with this oh but the city is doing so much routine.  They've done their fair share of cutting of funds over the years too just like the State has, so nobody is in this with clean hands.  I'm not trying to make Cuomo out to be a saint here because he isn't, but the blame needs to be passed around equally.  

 

If you think the answer is giving control to the City, sure.  Let's see how much more money the City would be willing to pump into the , as if they're just going to open up their coffers.  Unlike de Blasio, Bloomberg didn't go on a spending spree.  If this City has any financial set backs we're in trouble because this administration is spending money like there's no tomorrow. Bloomberg saved for things like economic downturns.  De Blasio doesn't seem to be doing anything of the sort, especially when the City is blowing money on putting the homeless in fancy hotels, throwing millions of taxpayer dollars down the toilet, and yet we continue to have a homeless crisis.  De Blasio is the last one that should be talking about responsibilities.

[GojiMet86]

Cuomo created a MTA Reinvention Commision in 2014. Absolutely nothing from that report has helped the MTA. Do you think he was bitching about the City's contributions back then?

 

 

You're just trying to find another way of hating on DiBlasio. That's the only reasonable explanation as to why you refuse to see this is Cuomo's problem.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

Cuomo created a MTA Reinvention Commision in 2014. Absolutely nothing from that report has helped the MTA. Do you think he was bitching about the City's contributions back then?

 

 

You're just trying to find another way of hating on DiBlasio. That's the only reasonable explanation as to why you refuse to see this is Cuomo's problem.

Right... The City bears NO responsibility for funding whatsoever.  

[GojiMet86]

Right... The City bears NO responsibility for funding whatsoever.

 

 

You're putting words in my mouth. Tell me, when did I deny that the City's responsibility to contribute funding?

 

 

Was it this post, where I stated the City has given the most it has ever given?

 

 

 

You're absolutely wrong. DiBlasio can be an idiot, but he is not when he's pointing out Cuomo controls the TA.

 

Everyone knows (or should) that is stands today, the State of New York is ultimately responsible for the MTA. Obviously, you have an axe to grind with DiBlasio, but in this case he is absolutely correct.

 

 

 

 

Fair share of money or not, it is Cuomo who is responsible the MTA. The City has already committed to contributing the most money it has ever given to the MTA. Cuomo hasn't even come out with how he plans on funding future commitments. And he already has had the power to control the State's finances.

 

He's happy to line up for photo-ops and take credit for the City's Second Avenue subway and the new Wi-Fi buses, but when push comes to shove, he will do anything to avoid actually fixing the MTA.

 

 

 

...or this one, where I state the City is paying its fair share already?

 

The City DRIVES the States financially. The City is what keeps the rest of the State alive.

 

 

Cuomo didn't do shit for years for the MTA. Now that he is taking full credit for all these new shiny projects, he should bear the responsibility for fixing the nasty, decrepit state the MTA is in. If he wants the City to pay a fair share (which it already is doing, so don't deny it), then he should give the City more control.

 

 

...or maybe this, where I acknowledge the City's past?

 

Cuomo created a MTA Reinvention Commision in 2014. Absolutely nothing from that report has helped the MTA. Do you think he was bitching about the City's contributions back then?

 

 

You're just trying to find another way of hating on DiBlasio. That's the only reasonable explanation as to why you refuse to see this is Cuomo's problem.

 

 

 

 

 

If you want to continue this deluded idea that it's actually the City's fault for not paying enough, when you can easily google the billions it has already given, then I don't know what to say. Then again, you have a penchant for refusing to see the facts.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

 

 

You're putting words in my mouth. Tell me, when did I deny that the City's responsibility to contribute funding?

 

 

Was it this post, where I stated the City has given the most it has ever given?

 

 

 

 

 

 

...or this one, where I state the City is paying its fair share already?

 

 

 

...or maybe this, where I acknowledge the City's past?

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you want to continue this deluded idea that it's actually the City's fault for not paying enough, when you can easily google the billions it has already given, then I don't know what to say. Then again, you have a penchant for refusing to see the facts.

-You keep yelling that's it Cuomo that runs the as if it's him alone that funds it and does everything else.  You know what you're trying to say and now you're trying to back step.  

 

-And the State has given billions as well.  What's your point?  That doesn't excuse the fact that the State and the City over the years haven't been giving what they should've been giving. What part of that don't you get?  You keep yelling about Cuomo like he's going to have this magical wand to just say here, here's ALL of the money needed for the .  If you believe that, then sure, it's all Cuomo's fault.  It's liberals like you that have a hard time seeing the facts because you clearly can't get enough of the Kool-aid that de Blasio has been stirring up.

 

-Also, the City is giving their fair share based on what? Past contributions?  Please.  Given all of the re-zoning that the City has been doing and giving sweetheart deals to developers with no transportation infrastructure in place to support all of this building, they should be ponying up MUCH more than what they currently are.  It's the City that is exacerbating the problem, not Cuomo.

[Lance]

Short term:

fare integration between NYC Transit/city ferry services

fast track implementation of SBS routes in critical areas

reduced station/line closure periods

 

Long-term:

system-wide signal modernization

fast track order/delivery of new subway cars

fast track construction of major necessary projects like a full length 2nd Avenue line and Queens Blvd bypass

 

Where's my $1M?

 

Seriously, this reeks of either ignorance of the issues or just plain incompetence. I get outsourcing your problems to get an outsider's approach for a solution, but it isn't that hard to determine the problems that plague the subway. They're too crowded because there are insufficient train cars available or signal and/or line limitations prevent more trains from running on those services. They're too slow because of aging infrastructure and cars that date back to the Johnson administration.

 

Taking a look at the most egregious example, the Lexington Ave line, said line is at capacity and has been so for decades following the elimination of the elevated lines way back when without an adequate replacement. We've exhausted all options of running more trains on the existing structure with the ATS system in place across most of the A-Division. Really, the only thing that will alleviate the congestion plaguing that line is a full-length line along 2nd Avenue.

 

This is just one of the many instances where the solutions should be patently obvious. One should expect Cuomo has advisers, either inside the MTA or outside of the agency, who've already informed him of this and have offered solutions to solve these plaguing issues. But sure, let's give out some money to tell us what we already know. That'll solve the problem. Then again, this is just another impact study under a different name, so why not?

 

On a slightly off-topic note, shifting control of Penn Station to Port Authority control has to be the stupidest suggestion I've heard from Cuomo. With the ballooned cost of the new World Trade Center station and the forever-delayed replacement of the Port Auth. Bus Terminal still nowhere near finalized, I wouldn't want the PA to manage a Burger King, much one of the busiest stations in the country. Also, private control of the Penn Station headhouse will do absolutely nothing for the main issue at hand, which is and has been, the tracks in and around the station. That's where the focus should be.

[BreeddekalbL]

did you see the freaking slideshow where he shows a CTA 5000 series car?!

[Lance]

No I haven't had a chance to see the presentation. I'll have to check it out later. Maybe that's how he wants the 211s to look like. I can't say I'm surprised either way.

[GojiMet86]

And the State has given billions as well.  What's your point?  That doesn't excuse the fact that the State and the City over the years haven't been giving what they should've been giving. What part of that don't you get?  You keep yelling about Cuomo like he's going to have this magical wand to just say here, here's ALL of the money needed for the .  If you believe that, then sure, it's all Cuomo's fault.  It's liberals like you that have a hard time seeing the facts because you clearly can't get enough of the Kool-aid that de Blasio has been stirring up.

 

 

He sure has that magic wand with the $4 billion Tappan-Zee project, whose source of funding is, to this very day, still a mystery.

He sure has that magic wand with the LaGuardia Airtrain.

And he sure had that magic wand to make the MTA install Wi-Fi and electrical outlets, and paint, on their new buses, which if anyone needs reminding, was not in the original plans.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

Short term:

fare integration between NYC Transit/city ferry services

fast track implementation of SBS routes in critical areas

reduced station/line closure periods

 

Long-term:

system-wide signal modernization

fast track order/delivery of new subway cars

fast track construction of major necessary projects like a full length 2nd Avenue line and Queens Blvd bypass

 

Where's my $1M?

 

Seriously, this reeks of either ignorance of the issues or just plain incompetence. I get outsourcing your problems to get an outsider's approach for a solution, but it isn't that hard to determine the problems that plague the subway. They're too crowded because there are insufficient train cars available or signal and/or line limitations prevent more trains from running on those services. They're too slow because of aging infrastructure and cars that date back to the Johnson administration.

 

Taking a look at the most egregious example, the Lexington Ave line, said line is at capacity and has been so for decades following the elimination of the elevated lines way back when without an adequate replacement. We've exhausted all options of running more trains on the existing structure with the ATS system in place across most of the A-Division. Really, the only thing that will alleviate the congestion plaguing that line is a full-length line along 2nd Avenue.

 

This is just one of the many instances where the solutions should be patently obvious. One should expect Cuomo has advisers, either inside the MTA or outside of the agency, who've already informed him of this and have offered solutions to solve these plaguing issues. But sure, let's give out some money to tell us what we already know. That'll solve the problem. Then again, this is just another impact study under a different name, so why not?

 

On a slightly off-topic note, shifting control of Penn Station to Port Authority control has to be the stupidest suggestion I've heard from Cuomo. With the ballooned cost of the new World Trade Center station and the forever-delayed replacement of the Port Auth. Bus Terminal still nowhere near finalized, I wouldn't want the PA to manage a Burger King, much one of the busiest stations in the country. Also, private control of the Penn Station headhouse will do absolutely nothing for the main issue at hand, which is and has been, the tracks in and around the station. That's where the focus should be.

Oh come on now.  I don't think the issue is as easy as you're making it sound.  Even if the money was there, given how long it took the to complete SAS, it would be God knows how many more years before we saw anything.  What's your solution to that?

 

I also disagree about Penn Station.  The Port Authority would not take over all of Penn Station, certainly not the tracks.  If Cuomo has to go to the Feds to beg for money every time something needs fixing there as he's currently doing, we're in deeper trouble than anything the Port Authority could ever get us into.  Why not shift some of the financial burden to someone else (Cuomo has also proposed having an independent contractor come in and take over the current project being carried out by Amtrak, which would likely mean it getting done quicker AND cheaper).  Let the Port Authority or a private entity take over the Concourse area, and let the track maintenance and infrastructure be taken care of by someone with knowledge.

 

He sure has that magic wand with the $4 billion Tappan-Zee project, whose source of funding is, to this very day, still a mystery.

He sure has that magic wand with the LaGuardia Airtrain.

And he sure had that magic wand to make the MTA install Wi-Fi and electrical outlets, and paint, on their new buses, which if anyone needs reminding, was not in the original plans.

If anything it shows how much he's been investing in NYS overall, and here you are slamming the guy.  Get real.  The has been a disaster for YEARS, and now suddenly ONE governor is supposed to take all of the State's financial resources and just hand it over to the so that they can flush more taxpayer dollars down the drain as they have been.  Just about every new subway project they've completed has been a DISASTER.  The "new" South Ferry, Fulton Street (1 billion wasted given how the station looks currently)... Hudson Yards... A mess... As a taxpayer, until the is held accountable for their reckless spending, we cannot and should not just fork over money to them.  

[BreeddekalbL]

No I haven't had a chance to see the presentation. I'll have to check it out later. Maybe that's how he wants the 211s to look like. I can't say I'm surprised either way.

 

found the presentation, 

look at slides 106 and 107 , who the bloody hell is that

https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/05.23.17_MTA_Penn.pdf

 

and slide 38 that's not our bus system

[GojiMet86]

 

If anything it shows how much he's been investing in NYS overall, and here you are slamming the guy.  Get real.  The has been a disaster for YEARS, and now suddenly ONE governor is supposed to take all of the State's financial resources and just hand it over to the so that they can flush more taxpayer dollars down the drain as they have been.  Just about every new subway project they've completed has been a DISASTER.  The "new" South Ferry, Fulton Street (1 billion wasted given how the station looks currently)... Hudson Yards... A mess... As a taxpayer, until the is held accountable for their reckless spending, we cannot and should not just fork over money to them.  

 

 

Why shouldn't he be THE governor to save the MTA? He's already taken credit for a subway expansion.

 

 

It's his time to shine. Maybe HE can audit the MTA and find out why it's been such a disaster.

 

 

But nope, let's have a $1,000,000 Prize competition to see who else can fix it.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

Why shouldn't he be THE governor to save the MTA? He's already taken credit for a subway expansion.

 

 

It's his time to shine. Maybe HE can audit the MTA and find out why it's been such a disaster.

 

 

But nope, let's have a $1,000,000 Prize competition to see who else can fix it.

One governor is not going to be able to fix the mess of the subway system that is now 100+ years old, and to think that it's possible is just absurd.  Looking at the BIG picture (something some people around here can't do  ), he has allocated TONS of money to replace various bridges and expressways for long overdue projects long before he took office.  Not everyone gets around with the subways, so we simply can't sink everything into a system that continues to bleed money left and right. Why shouldn't he take credit for the subway expansion? It was Cuomo, NOT de Blasio that helped accelerate its completion, but yet de Blasio had no problem grinning and putting his face on the project when it was time for the trains to start running through, but now it's all Cuomo's fault that the subways are a mess.  The hypocrisy is a joke.  

 

Cuomo has been one of the most responsive governors to the needs overall of the NYC in quite some time.  Can he do more? Of course, and as more monies become available, I think he will.  He also understands that taxing New Yorkers to death isn't the answer the either (something that I don't think de Blasio understands), so there has to be a balance.  

[GojiMet86]

And yet you think the City should be giving more.

[BreeddekalbL]

regarding the new south ferry did anyone expect the hurricane to happen?

[Via Garibaldi 8]

And yet you think the City should be giving more.

When you consider how much they're exacerbating the subway problem, yes they should be. They're giving tax breaks to developers and re-zoning entire neighborhoods.  You don't think that they should be responsible for providing more funding under such circumstances?  Lines like the train didn't just become packed just because. I had friends living in East Williamsburg when most of it was still industrial and people were just moving there and now look at the area.  That didn't just magically happen. The city is pouring money into housing, yet they aren't pouring enough into transportation.  That's all supposed to fall on Cuomo.  

 

 

regarding the new south ferry did anyone expect the hurricane to happen?

That's besides the point.  Hurricane or not, the hired a contractor that didn't do their due diligence to ensure that the new station was built to keep water out.  They knew about the problem too and still didn't fix it properly.  

[GojiMet86]

Because Cuomo RUNS the MTA.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

Because Cuomo RUNS the MTA.

Right, but that doesn't absolve the City from providing adequate funding.  You seem to think that it does. Here's a question for you:

 

How much money is the City currently providing NOW versus what they've provided previously? And don't say more... I want dollar figures.